Private charter — Very light jets
Very light jets for Private Charter
A very light jet is the smallest jet category, ideal for short trips with a handful of passengers at the lowest jet hourly rates.
Aircraft category
What is a very light jet?
Very light jets (VLJs) are the entry point into jet-powered private travel. Certified for single-pilot operation and typically seating four to five passengers, they combine true jet speed with the lowest hourly operating costs of any jet category. Twin turbofan engines give redundancy and a service ceiling of around 41,000 feet, well above most weather, while a compact airframe keeps runway requirements to around 3,200 to 3,500 feet, similar to a large turboprop.
Very light jets like the Embraer Phenom 100 and Cessna Citation M2 suit short point-to-point trips for a small group where speed matters more than cabin space.
- Engines
- 2 turbofan engines
- Runway needed
- 3,200-3,500 ft
- Cruise speed
- 340-400 kts
- Cabin height
- 1.45 m
Why choose this category
Why choose very light jets for your trip
A very light jet is the smallest jet category, ideal for short trips with a handful of passengers at the lowest jet hourly rates.
Up to 5 passengers
Most very light jets seat between 4-5 passengers in comfort.
Range from 1,100
Cruise range of 1,100-1,400 nm covers the typical sectors for this category.
Efficient cabin at 1.45 m
Comfortable seating designed for shorter to medium sectors.
Cruise speed 340-400 kts
Fast transit with jet-smooth performance on every sector.
Short trips for up to four passengers on a budget.
Very light jets are a popular choice for these missions across Europe and beyond.
Who charters this category
Typical missions for a very light jet
A very light jet suits small groups of up to four or five passengers who want genuine jet speed and altitude performance without paying for a larger cabin. Typical charters include short business trips, weekend breaks and point-to-point sectors of one to two hours where a turboprop would be too slow.
Single-pilot certification and low fuel burn keep hourly rates competitive, so a very light jet is often the entry point for clients moving up from turboprops or trying private aviation for the first time.
Fleet
Popular very light jets models
Representative aircraft in this category. Specifications vary by configuration and operator.
Popular model
Embraer
Embraer Phenom 100
An entry-level jet with a surprisingly wide cabin, well suited to short trips for up to four passengers.
Cessna
Cessna Citation M2
A nimble light jet offering jet speed and comfort for short sectors at competitive running costs.
Specifications
Very light jets specification summary
Typical figures for this category. Individual aircraft vary — check with operators for exact specs.
Typical figures for this category. Individual aircraft vary — check with operators for exact specs.
| Specification | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Typical passengers | 4-5 |
| Typical range | 1,100-1,400 nm |
| Cruise speed | 340-400 kts |
| Cabin height | 1.45 m |
| Engines | 2 turbofan engines |
| Runway needed | 3,200-3,500 ft |
| Best for | Short trips for up to four passengers on a budget. |
Aircraft options
Very light jets vs Light jets
How very light jets compare to the next category up.
- Passengers
- 4-5
- Range
- 1,100-1,400 nm
- Cruise speed
- 340-400 kts
- Cabin height
- 1.45 m
- Best for
- Short trips for up to four passengers on a budget.
- Passengers
- 6-7
- Range
- 1,500-2,000 nm
- Cruise speed
- 400-450 kts
- Cabin height
- 1.50 m
- Best for
- Intra-European routes such as London to Nice or Geneva.
Popular routes
Routes that typically use very light jets
Charter routes where very light jets are a common choice for the distance and group size.
Compare
Other aircraft categories
Compare this category against the rest of the fleet to find the right fit for your trip.
Turboprops
A turboprop is a propeller aircraft that is efficient over short sectors and can use shorter runways than jets, opening up smaller regional airfields.
Light jets
A light jet is a popular and versatile category covering most intra-European and short domestic US routes with a comfortable cabin.
Midsize jets
A midsize jet offers more cabin space and range than a light jet, with stand-up cabins on many models and the ability to fly longer sectors non-stop.
Super-midsize jets
A super-midsize jet is a fast, wide-cabin aircraft that combines transcontinental range with stand-up comfort, bridging midsize and heavy jets.
Heavy jets
A heavy jet is a large-cabin aircraft with separate cabin zones, generous baggage and the range to cross the Atlantic non-stop.
Ultra long-range jets
An ultra long-range jet is a flagship of business aviation, able to connect almost any two cities non-stop with full bedrooms and dining areas.
Very light jets FAQs
Have a question? We have answers. If you cannot find what you are looking for, get in touch.
Short trips for up to four passengers on a budget.
Considering very light jets for your trip?
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